At least 20 killed in Pakistan as bus-tanker crash causes fire

The accident occurred on a freeway in Punjab province when the bus carrying 24 passengers rammed into the oil tanker from behind.

Law enforcement officials and staff take away the wreckage of a bus that collided with an oil tanker close to Multan, Pakistan [AP Photo]

Islamabad, Pakistan – Not less than 20 folks have been killed in a highway accident in Pakistan after a bus collided with an oil tanker in southern Pakistan.

The accident occurred within the early hours of Tuesday on a freeway in Punjab province when the bus rammed into the tanker from behind, officers mentioned.

The bus, carrying 24 passengers and two crew members, was headed to Karachi from Lahore. Police mentioned the oil tanker’s driver ran away from the spot.

A few of the our bodies have been badly burned and tough to determine, mentioned the authorities, including that they may provoke a DNA testing course of to take action.

A rescue employee prepares to shift the burned our bodies of victims to a hospital [Shahid Saeed Mirza/AFP]

Not less than six survivors have been badly injured within the tragedy and transferred to Multan metropolis’s Nishtar Hospital, officers mentioned.

Investigating officer Kashif Shahzad mentioned a primary info report (FIR) was registered by the police in reference to the accident.

“It's fairly seemingly a case of reckless driving by the bus driver who has additionally died,” he advised Al Jazeera.

Asad Shabbir, spokesman for the Nationwide Highways and Motorway Police, mentioned the tanker was carrying 1000's of litres of oil.

“The hearth after the collision was large which made it tough for rescue staff to tug out the useless and the injured,” he mentioned.

The accident resulted in a brief closure of the freeway.

Rescue staff seek for victims within the wreckage of the bus [AFP]

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted his condolences. “Saddened by the lack of 20 treasured lives within the accident. My prayers are with the bereaved households,” he posted.

Punjab province’s Chief Minister Parvez Elahi additionally expressed grief and requested the officers to increase full help to the grieving households.

Deadly highway accidents are frequent in Pakistan, with many blaming the shoddy infrastructure, unfit autos and other people’s incapacity to observe site visitors guidelines.

Knowledge compiled by Pakistan’s Bureau of Statistics present that within the 12 months 2021 alone, there have been 10,379 highway accidents leading to 4,566 deaths.